Have Perut Will Travel...: BORNEO Native Festival 2024

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Saturday, 25 May 2024

BORNEO Native Festival 2024

It’s BNf 2024

We’ve been visiting the Borneo Native Festival (BNf) for two straight years, and we were excited to make it a happy hat trick.

With the theme “Power in Unity”, this year’s BNf invited everyone to “Dive into the World of Borneo: Captivating vibrant cultures, amazing food and an immersive music experience.”

Events lined up for the festival included:

Food & Crafts
Borneo Talks
Creative Dance Competition
Miss Ethnic BNf
Sape Stage
Borneotroops (Marching)
AR Live Experience

The Journey to Central Market

We made our way to the bus stop along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) and caught a RapidKL bus #180 to the Pasar Seni Bus Hub for RM1.00 (≈ USD/EUR0.20). From there, we walked north along Jalan Hang Kasturi and crossed Jalan Tun Sambanthan to Central Market.

As always, we entered through the northern entrance, walked the entire length, and exited through the southern end where even more stalls awaited.

The Shopping Begins

Our first stop was Lipang Lawai’s stall, where she was still extending Cat’s necklace from a previous purchase. While waiting, Cat picked up three earrings and a Kabo necklace for RM247.00 (≈ USD53/EUR48), which included the cost of extending her Bao Tulang necklace.

Next, Cat bought a bracelet and two earrings from Borneo Touch Enterprise for RM52.00 (≈ USD10/EUR11).

We then arrived at the stall of Cat’s favourite beadstress, Caroline Agan, just across from Lipang. Cat took her time browsing every piece before settling on a hat, an Alai necklace, an African beaded necklace, and a Turquoise necklace — a princely sum of RM530.00 (≈ USD113/EUR104). Caroline asked us to return later to collect the extended Turquoise necklace.

Lunch Break

We walked over to our favourite nasi beriani spot, Tajuddin, where two plates of Nasi Beriani with Honey Chicken and Fried Chicken plus drinks came to RM30.00 (≈ USD/EUR6).

More Goodies

Back inside Central Market, Cat picked up some native foodstuff — Rice and Umai, Ikan Terubuk Garing, and Keropok Dabai — for RM53.00 (≈ USD10/EUR11).

We then returned to collect the extended Turquoise necklace from Caroline. Lipang, however, wasn’t done with the Bao Tulang extension, so we promised to come back the next day.

In total, Cat’s handsome bounty for the day came to RM935.00 (≈ USD199/EUR183).

Heading Home

We crossed Jalan Tun Sambanthan again and walked south along Jalan Hang Kasturi to catch the same RapidKL #180 back to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall stop for RM1.00 (≈ USD/EUR0.20).

From there, we walked across Jalan Raja Laut, continued east along Jalan Esfahan past my office, and stopped by Starbucks to take advantage of the day’s buy 1 get 1 free offer.

We continued east across Jalan TAR and soon made our way home — already looking forward to next year’s BNf.